Solvatten wins Energy Globe Award

Swedish green tech company Solvatten is being awarded for its clean water project in Mali.

Solvatten has developed a project in Mali with UN Habitat “Sanitary, economic and environmental impacts of Solvatten in the West African peri-urban context: case of Dialakorodji, Bamako (Mali)”. The Solvatten project will be awarded by the Energy Globe Award, today’s largest platform for sustainability. Solvatten was selected best project and will be honored with the national Energy Globe Award Mali. The projects of all national Energy Globe winners will be presented on 5 June, the UN’s World Environment Day. Energy Globe Award is considered the most prominent environmental award worldwide. It is awarded on a local, national and international level every year.

The jury motivated the award by the following statement:

“Use of biomass and fossil fuels for water disinfection and heating is widespread. It is estimated that 70 % of household income in Africa are spent on energy. This year´s National Winner of the Energy Globe Award for Mali has invented an affordable solution for each African household: Solvatten is using the sunlight in order to produce safe drinking water. It treats and heats 11 liters of water in 2-6 hours, depending on the actual sunlight intensity. The system will last for more than 7 years and additionally helps to reduce carbon emissions. A win-win situation for both: humans and environment.”

Solvatten, developed by inventor Petra Wadström, is a 11 liter foldable jerry can and solar-powered water treatment unit. It is portable and primarily for household use. The units treat contaminated water, making it safe to drink, as well as providing hot water for personal hygiene and cooking. No consumables, such as chemicals or batteries, are required. Solvatten uses the combined power of heat and ultraviolet radiation from the sun to deactivate disease-causing microorganisms.